Audio overview
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A Fatal Encounter on the Marine Drive
On the night of July 31, 2020, what began as a routine police stop ended in a calculated murder that would shake the nation.
Retired Army Major Murdered
Gunshot Wounds Documented
Police Officers Sentenced to Death
Major Sinha was shot and killed by police at the Shamlapur checkpoint in Cox’s Bazar. An initial police report claimed self-defense, but the investigation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) uncovered a premeditated killing orchestrated by senior local police officials.
The Anatomy of a Conspiracy
The murder was not a random act of violence. It was the culmination of a plot to silence Major Sinha after he discovered a deeply entrenched criminal enterprise run by the very people sworn to uphold the law.
Discovery of Corruption
While filming a documentary, Major Sinha uncovered OC Pradeep’s involvement in the yaba trade and extortion.
Direct Threat
Sinha attempted to interview Pradeep, who then threatened him and ordered him to leave Cox\’s Bazar.
Planning the Murder
Feeling exposed, Pradeep convened a meeting with Inspector Liaqat and informants to plan the assassination.
Execution
At Pradeep’s instruction, Inspector Liaqat shot and killed Major Sinha at a police checkpoint.
Justice Delivered: Verdicts and Sentences
After a closely watched trial, the courts held the key figures accountable. The High Court upheld the lower court’s severe sentences, reinforcing the finding of a premeditated conspiracy.
Breakdown of the 15 Accused
The trial involved 15 individuals, primarily law enforcement personnel. The verdicts highlight the hierarchy of the crime, from the masterminds to the accomplices and those acquitted.
- 2 Sentenced to Death: The masterminds.
- 6 Sentenced to Life: Aided the killing & cover-up.
- 7 Acquitted: Insufficient evidence.
Key Actors & Their Fates
This chart details the sentences for the principal figures convicted in the murder and its cover-up, as upheld by the High Court.
The Path to Justice: A Case Timeline
July 31, 2020
Major Sinha is shot and killed at a police checkpoint on the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive.
August 5, 2020
Sinha’s sister files a murder case, prompting an official investigation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
December 13, 2020
RAB submits a charge sheet, accusing 15 individuals and labeling the killing a “pre-meditated murder.”
January 31, 2022
The lower court delivers its verdict, sentencing OC Pradeep and Inspector Liaqat to death.
June 2, 2025
The High Court upholds all sentences, dismissing appeals from the convicts and confirming the death penalties.
A Corrupt Empire and its Fallout
The investigation into OC Pradeep revealed a horrifying pattern of abuse of power, extortion, and extrajudicial killings disguised as a “war on drugs.” The fallout was swift and significant.
Deaths in “Crossfires”
The number of people allegedly killed in extrajudicial “crossfires” linked to OC Pradeep, according to the Ex-Forces Association.
Police Personnel Transferred
In the wake of the national outcry, the entire police force in Cox\’s Bazar district was overhauled in an unprecedented administrative action.